England host Greece at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday 13 October with a 3-1 advantage in their Women’s World Cup 2027 European qualifying play-off. Goals from Georgia Stanway, Maya Le Tissier and Alessia Russo secured victory in Crete, but Sarina Wiegman’s side still have areas to improve before the second leg.
The Lionesses created plenty of opportunities on Friday, although their attacking combinations were not always precise, while Greece showed they could threaten despite limited possession. England are well placed to advance, but Tuesday’s match offers an opportunity to produce a more complete performance. This is our England vs Greece women preview.
England vs Greece: Match Information
- Competition: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers – Play-off Round 1, second leg
- Date: Tuesday 13 October 2026
- Kick-off: 7:30pm BST / 8:30pm CEST
- Venue: King Power Stadium, Leicester
- First leg: Greece 1-3 England
- Aggregate score: England lead 3-1
How to Watch England vs Greece
UK television and streaming details are awaiting confirmation. This section will be updated before kick-off.
England’s First-Leg Performance
England dominated the opening leg with 74% possession and 26 shots, but only seven attempts were on target. Despite their territorial advantage, they needed until the 39th minute to break down Greece.
The breakthrough came through one of England’s better attacking combinations. Laura Blindkilde Brown found Alessia Russo inside the penalty area, and the striker’s first-time pass allowed Georgia Stanway to finish.
England became more effective after half-time as Greece began to tire. Le Tissier doubled the lead in the 63rd minute before Russo added a third four minutes later.
The scoreline reflected England’s superiority, but their performance also demonstrated how difficult they found it to consistently turn possession into clear opportunities.
What Wiegman Wants England to Improve
Following the match, Wiegman acknowledged that England’s attacking play needed greater coordination.
“At moments in the game we weren’t tight enough, the ball wasn’t moving quick enough, especially when we got the ball a lot in the pockets and higher up the pitch,” she explained.
Her assessment highlights an important tactical issue.
England regularly reached advanced positions, but their passing and movement were not always synchronised. Against Greece’s compact defensive structure, that allowed the hosts time to recover their positions and limit the quality of England’s chances.
The challenge on Tuesday will be to move the ball more quickly between midfield and attack, particularly when players receive possession between Greece’s defensive lines.
Better-timed forward runs will also be important. Lauren James had a first-half goal ruled out for offside, while Wiegman identified England’s positioning as another area requiring improvement.
Maya Le Tissier’s Attacking Role
Le Tissier was one of England’s most influential players in the first leg. Starting at right-back in Lucy Bronze’s absence, she regularly advanced into attacking positions, creating an opportunity for Blindkilde Brown early in the match and later scoring her first senior international goal.
Her forward movement gave England another option beyond their attacking midfielders and wingers. Wiegman praised the defender’s development, highlighting her ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch.
“She covered a lot of space today so of course she had to defend but at the same time she played in attack really high on the pitch,” the England coach said.
Le Tissier’s involvement could again be important if Greece defend deep in Leicester. Her runs can stretch the opposition’s defensive shape and create space for teammates operating inside.
Greece’s Threat on the Counterattack
Although Greece managed only three shots, they produced two moments that demonstrated the importance of England’s defensive concentration. Ioanna Papatheodorou carried the ball through midfield and struck the crossbar during the first half. She was also involved in the move that led to Kallisti Brouksair’s 78th-minute goal.
Greece will need at least two goals to level the aggregate score, which may require a more adventurous approach than Friday’s.
For England, the priority will be maintaining defensive cover when players advance. Greece have already shown that they can exploit space when England lose possession.
England Team News and Predicted Line-Up
England started Friday’s match with Hannah Hampton in goal, behind Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Leah Williamson and Alex Greenwood. Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Laura Blindkilde Brown featured in midfield, with Lauren James, Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp in attack.
Beth Mead replaced Blindkilde Brown at half-time, while Jess Park, Erica Meg Parkinson and Grace Fisk also appeared from the bench. Lucy Bronze missed the first leg through injury. Further availability updates are expected before Tuesday.
Predicted England XI: To be confirmed following Monday’s team news.
Greece Team News
Greece started the first leg in a 4-3-3 formation, with Ioanna Papatheodorou and Kallisti Brouksair among their most important attacking players. Any changes to their squad availability or expected starting XI will be added following the pre-match updates.
England vs Greece Prediction
England’s two-goal lead and home advantage put them in a strong position. Greece must take more risks to overturn the deficit, potentially leaving additional space for England’s forwards.
If the Lionesses improve their attacking combinations while maintaining defensive discipline, they should have enough quality to secure another victory.
Prediction: England 4-0 Greece (6-1 on aggregate).
The winners will face either Ukraine or Slovakia in the second play-off round. Ukraine lead 3-1 after the opening leg. Follow the wider qualification picture in our Women’s World Cup 2027 qualified teams tracker and UEFA play-off draw guide.
England vs Greece women preview
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